STUDY PLAN

Microsoft MCSA:
Windows Server 2016 70-740
Total Videos: 48 Time: 14 hours*

*The time indicated above represents the total time to view all videos in the course, but does not include time spent using virtual labs, practice exams,
embedded quizzes, etc.
Microsoft MCSA: Windows Server 2016
The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016
certification is designed to prove mastery of the skills required to administer
Windows Server 2016, including installation and implementation of storage
solutions, Hyper-V, and Windows containers; networking with DNS, DHCP, IP
address management, and advanced infrastructure; and administration of Active
Directory Domain Services, group policy, Nano Server, and more.
Interestingly, Windows Server 2016 includes containers, which was once almost
exclusively the purview of Linux/UNIX. The certification represents a new attitude of
openness between Microsoft and the Linux Foundation and embodies Microsoft’s
embrace of open source.
The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification is made up of three exams, all of
which are covered by CBT Nuggets training.
• 70-740: Installation, Storage, and Computer with Windows Server 2016
• 70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016
• 70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016
Typically, learners pursuing this certification path should have some familiarity (1-3
years) with Windows Server and experience working in an enterprise environment.
The MCSA is considered an intermediate-level certification but has no prerequisite
training or certifications.
Exam Details
Time allotted for exam: 120 minutes
Number of questions: 40-60*
Passing score: 700**
Question types: Multiple choice; multiple choice/multiple answer; scenario
Exam registration: Microsoft Learning or Pearson Vue
Exam cost: $165 (USD)
Skills measured: Each exam registration page on the Microsoft website provides a
list of Skills Measured (which is a free resource) to guide your study and preparation.
• 70-740
Exam Replay: Microsoft exams have a reputation for being challenging. Many
learners find they have to take an exam more than once to achieve a successful
outcome. Fortunately, Microsoft is aware of the level of challenge associated
with their exams, and often provides an “Exam Replay,” allowing learners to retake
exams at a fraction of the usual cost. Please note that the Exam Replay may not
always be available.
*Microsoft does not publish the exact number of questions associated with its exams.
Therefore, the number of questions a learner will see varies.
**Because the number of questions varies, it is not necessarily true that learners must earn
a simple 70% to pass the exam.
STUDY STRATEGIES PRACTICE EXAM STRATEGIES

Learners use a great variety of strategies to attack their CBT Nuggets offers practice exams as part of your
training. Here are some options you can choose from to subscription. You can take the practice exams as many
get the most out of your training experience: times as you like! Here are some tips to help you take
full advantage of this excellent resource:

Proceed through all CBT Nuggets video training on double-

speed to develop a strong overview of the material; then
proceed through all the training for a second time, taking good PLAN TO TAKE THE PRACTICE EXAM 3 TIMES
notes and focusing on deeper learning.
OR FIRST EXAM
Proceed through all CBT Nuggets video training, taking good Create a baseline against Identify areas of weakness in
notes and focusing on deep learning on the first pass; then which you can measure your order to direct your training
progress with future exams. as you move forward.
proceed back through all training a second time, using double-
speed when appropriate.
SECOND EXAM
Supplement all video training with book study and practical Measure your progress since your The results from your
application of knowledge. first practice exam! Ask yourself: second practice exam
Are you retaining the information experience should help you
and material you learned at the identify areas where you
Use the hands-on virtual labs throughout the course to practice beginning of your training? Are there may need to spend extra
areas to which you should return now effort and energy in the
your skills. to ensure your understanding before training ahead.
moving forward?

THIRD EXAM
Measure your progress Allow the results from your
against your first two practice exam to direct

Learn more about how to get all you can

practice exams! your review ahead of your
Ask yourself: Are you certification exam. Ask

out of your practice exam experience scoring 90% by now?

If so, you might be
yourself: Are you retaining
all the material? And are you
from a quick video by Keith Barker ready for the real understanding it well?

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 The number and
4. Install and title for each video The Extra Mile section of
Configure corresponds to the your study plan challenges
Windows Server number and title you to dig a little deeper
Core you will find on the with your training. The
Microsoft MCSA: Extra Mile might be a
Windows Server 2016 textbook recommendation,
70-740 course page
KEY

supplemental materials
18 30-90 online (and on your “Your virtual lab experience will vary throughout
downloads, or other resources
mobile device). to help you take your training the course, depending on the exam objectives
and your learning style and needs. Each virtual
to the next level. Nothing in
The duration Time required lab could take anywhere from 10-90 minutes.”
the Extra Mile is required, but
of the video to complete - Garth Schulte
it is here to help you learn.
in minutes. a virtual lab
in minutes.

Microsoft MCSA: Windows Server 2016 70-740

1. Welcome to Windows 4. Install and Configure 5. Manage Windows Server 6. Implement PowerShell 7. Windows Server 2016
WEEK 1

Server 2016 and 70-740! Windows Server Core Core Desired State Configuration Activation
(DSC)
2. Plan for Windows Server
2016
3. Install and Configure
Windows Server 2016

32 30-90 18 30-90 20 30-90 16 30-90 11 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Explore the Microsoft Learning
website to learn more about the
70-740 exam, its requirements, and
available resources.
Consider purchasing a textbook to supplement your training.
• MCSA Windows Server 2016 Complete Study Guide: Exam 70-740, Exam 70-741, Exam 70-742, and Exam 70-743,
by William Panek
• Exam Ref 70-740 Installation, Storage and Compute with Windows Server 2016, by Craig Zacker
• MCSA Windows Server 2016 Study Guide: Exam 70-740, by William Panek

Review the skills measured by the VIRTUAL LAB*

70-740 exam. (Consider printing out This CBT Nuggets course includes virtual labs to give you hands-on experience and help ensure that you are deeply
the exam objectives to help guide understanding what you learn.
your study!) *Keep a list of any virtual lab experiences that you find particularly challenging so you can come back to them for additional practice later.

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 8. Upgrade and Migrate to 9. Introduction to Nano 10. Install Nano Server 11. Manage and Configure 12. Plan for Virtualization
WEEK 2

Windows Server 2016 Server Nano Server

19 30-90 8 30-90 18 30-90 14 30-90 13 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Join the CBT Nuggets Learner Community on Slack! Join other CBT Learn more about Nano Server from the CBT Create flashcards to quiz yourself
Nuggets learners in a community where you can post questions, share Nuggets blog, 3 Reasons to Love Microsoft on the content from your training!
study resources, connect with IT experts from all over the world, and get Windows Server 2016 Nano Server. Or, use existing flashcard
mentoring for your training. resources such as quizlet.com!
Learn more about Nano Server from
*Please allow 48 hours for your request to join the community to be processed.
TechNet’s Nano Server blog.
WEEK 3

13. Manage and Maintain 14. Configure Disks 15. Configure Virtual Disks 16. Configure Shares 17. Configure Permissions
Images

21 30-90 14 30-90 13 30-90 22 30-90 15 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Visit Microsoft’s TechNet to learn more on how to “I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his
Configure Disks and Storage. dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet
with a success unexpected in common hours.”
- Henry David Thoreau

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 18. Configure and Manage 19. Advanced Storage TAKE THE PRACTICE EXAM! 20. Configure Storage 21. Implement Data
WEEK 4

Storage Pools Features Replica Deduplication

16 30-90 5 30-90 90-120 14 30-90 16 30-90

EXTRA
MILE TAKE THE PRACTICE EXAM! “Your mind will answer most
Use the results to drive your review and practice as you continue your study*. questions if you learn to relax
• Transcender Microsoft Cert - 70-740
and wait for the answer.”
*Keep in mind that you’ve not completed the training yet, so you probably won’t ace this exam. This is just to help you assess how well
- William S. Burroughs
you are retaining the material you’ve learned so far!

22. Install Hyper-V 23. Configure and Manage 24. Create Virtual Machines 25. Configure Virtual 26. Manage Virtual Machines
WEEK 5

Hyper-V Machines

16 30-90 20 30-90 19 30-90 18 30-90 17 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Dig a little deeper to master how to Create Take some time this week to return to labs “I learned the value of hard work
a Virtual Machine in Hyper-V from Microsoft’s that have previously been challenging for by working hard.”
Windows IT Center. you to see if you can conquer them now!
- Margaret Mead

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 27. Create and Configure 28. Manage Hyper-V Storage 29. Configure Hyper-V 30. Optimize Hyper-V 31. Introduction to
WEEK 6

Hyper-V Storage Networking Networking Containers

20 30-90 24 30-90 17 30-90 12 30-90 15 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Hyper-V makes up 20-25% of your 70-740 exam. Take some time now to learn it well! “I am tomorrow, or some future day,
• What’s new in Hyper-V on Windows Server 2016 from the Microsoft Windows IT Center what I establish today. I am today what
• Hyper-V on Windows Server 2016 from the Microsoft Windows IT Center I established yesterday — or some
previous day.”
• Hyper-V Virtual Switch from the Microsoft Windows IT Center
- Harvey Spencer Lewis

32. Deploy Containers 33. Manage Containers 34. Implement Hyper-V 35. Implement Hyper-V 36. Introduction to Failover
WEEK 7

Replica Migration Clustering

19 30-90 20 30-90 13 30-90 18 30-90 10 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Containers represent about 5-10% of your 70-740 exam. Be intentional about learning all you can about Windows Server 2016 containers!
• Windows Server 2016 Feature Highlight: Containers from Tom’s IT Pro
• Open Source Skills for the Microsoft Master from the CBT Nuggets blog
• Containers from Microsoft Docs

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 37. Configure Failover 38. Maintain Failover TAKE THE PRACTICE EXAM! 39. Manage Failover 40. Implement Scale-out File
WEEK 8

Clustering Clusters Clustering Server (SoFS)

20 30-90 22 30-90 90-120 16 30-90 13 30-90

EXTRA
MILE TAKE THE PRACTICE EXAM! Make sure you have a strong understanding of topics related
Use the results to drive your review and practice as you continue your study*. to high availability because it makes up 30-35% of your
• Transcender Microsoft Cert - 70-740 70-740 exam.
• Failover Clustering in Windows Server 2016 from the
*You should see strong improvements in your performance by now! Measure your improvement and
Microsoft Windows IT Center
let your practice exam results guide your study ahead of your certification exam.

41. Implement Hyper-V 42. Implement Stretch 43. Implement Storage 44. Implement Network 45. Maintain Server
WEEK 9

Clusters Clusters Spaces Direct Load Balancing Installations

24 30-90 30 30-90 22 30-90 16 30-90 24 30-90

EXTRA
MILE Schedule your certification exam with an approved testing Review Microsoft’s Exam Policies and Dedicate more time and effort to understanding
site. Consider purchasing the Microsoft Exam Replay FAQs to fully understand the testing issues around implementing high availability.
voucher to help ensure your success on the 70-740 conditions you’ll face on the big day! • Storage Spaces Direct in Windows Server 2016
certification exam!
from the Microsoft Windows IT Center

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 46. Implement Server 47. Monitor Server TAKE THE PRACTICE EXAM! VIRTUAL LABS VIRTUAL LABS
WEEK 10

Backups Installations One last time ... Flashcards are an excellent way
Flashcards: They worked for you
Transcender Microsoft in grade school, they can work to work on acronyms you’ll need
48. Good Luck!
Cert - 70-740 for you now! to know for your exam.
Return to video Nuggets
to brush up on areas of
weakness identified by your
practice exam results.

22 30-90 20 30-90 90-120

EXTRA
MILE Understand the value of the various skills measured by the 70-740 exam: Spend time this week working through your flashcards
• Install Windows Servers in host and compute environments (10-15%) to ensure your memorization of acronyms and terms
• Implement storage solutions (10-15%) for your exam.
• Implement Hyper-V (20-25%)
• Implement Windows containers (5-10%)
• Implement high availability (30-35%)
• Maintain and monitor server environments (10-15%)
WEEK 11

THE BIG DAY Brag about it! Tweet us or let us know

Take the exam.
how your exam went and what you’re
Get a good night’s sleep doing to celebrate your success!
ahead of your exam!

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The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification puts you on the path to a career in system administration, but also opens up other pathways as well, including
networking, virtualization, security, cloud computing, system administration, and more. Consider these pathways as you move beyond your MCSA:

ENTRY LEVEL INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED

NETWORKING

CompTIA Cisco CCENT Juniper CCNA Routing CCNP Routing Juniper Palo Alto Cisco CCIE
Network+ JNCIA-Junos and Switching and Switching JNCIS-ENT Networks Routing and
Firewall Switching

SECURITY

CompTIA Cisco CCENT CCNA CCNP Security Penetration EC-Council (ISC)2 CISSP Cisco CCIE
Security+ Security Testing with Certified Ethical Security
Linux Tools Hacker

VIRTUALIZATION

VMware CompTIA Microsoft CCNA Data VMware Cisco CCNP MCSE: Cloud
vSphere Network+ MCSA: Center VCP6.5-DCV Data Center Platform and
Foundation Windows (VCP6.5-DCV) Infrastructure
Server 2012

CLOUD COMPUTING

LPI Linux LPIC-1 AWS: Technical AWS: Certified AWS: Certified MCSA: Cloud MCSA: Linux MCSE: Cloud
and CompTIA Essentials Solutions SysOps Platform on Azure Platform and
Linux+ Architect - Administrator - Infrastructure
Associate Associate

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

CompTIA A+ LPI Linux VMware Powershell 4 Microsoft Microsoft MCSA: MCSA: VMware MCSE: Cloud
LPIC-1 and vSphere Foundations MCSA: Office 365 Windows vSphere 6.5 Platform and
CompTIA Foundation (no associated Windows 10 Server 2012 (VCP6.5-DCV) Infrastructure
certification)
Linux+
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CAREER PATHWAYS THE NEXT STEP

CBT Nuggets is committed to providing you with the The MCSA is a building block to allow learners to earn a variety of other certifications from
resources necessary to plan your training, certification, and Microsoft. After earning the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification, most learners take the next
career pathway effectively and efficiently. Review step by earning an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) certification. The MCSE allows
our Career Pathway blog posts to learn more. learners to select from a variety of elective exams, effectively customizing the certification to meet

• Mapping Your IT Networking Career Pathway
• Mapping Your IT Networking Career Pathway Infographic
• Unlocking Your IT Security Career Pathway
their unique needs. The expert-level certification aligned with the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 is
the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification. To earn the MCSE, learners must choose
one elective exam from a pool of exam options:

• Decoding Your IT SysAdmin Career Pathway • 70-532 • 70-534 • 70-475 • 70-413 • 70-246

• Charting Your IT Cloud and Virtualization Career Pathway • 70-533 • 70-473 • 70-744 • 70-414 • 70-247

• Engineering Your IT DevOps Career Pathway

Some learners may choose to diversify their certification resumes by pursuing certifications outside
the Microsoft universe. Those who choose this path often consider the following certifications:
• Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching (made up of two exams: ICND1 and ICND2)
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (made up of one exam: AWS Certified SysOps
Administrator – Associate)
Roadmap to Success: • VMware vSphere 6.5 (made up of one exam: VCP6.5-DCV)
MCSA: Windows Server 2016
Learn more about the MCSA certification from the
CBT Nuggets blog. The Roadmap to Success: MCSA:
Windows Server 2016 is part of a series of blog
posts designed to help learners better understand
certification pathways, career opportunities associated
with those certifications, and next steps beyond
certification.

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